During Fabienne’s visit to Rome (see last post) we went up to Florence for a day trip. We took an early morning train in, spent the night, and took a train the next day to Venice.
Florence is a small city and most of her sights are right in a line from the train station, but we didn’t do them at all in order. We were all over the place juggling opening hours and lines. But again, it’s small so no big deal. Rome about the ancient Romans, Vatican, and the political capital; Florence is all about museums and churches. It was the center of the world during the Renaissance. While Venice is overall the most expensive city in Italy (IMO), we actually spent less money there because we spent more of our time walking around enjoying the city’s beauty. Compared to everything we did in Florence which had a fee attached. Fabienne wanted to see as much as possible and they all nickle and dime you with their three to ten euro entrance frees.
Since we only had one day, I made Fabienne choose between the Academia and the Uffizi (the two largest museums in Florence). We went with the Uffizi, which I think was the best choice, but that meant we didn’t get to see David. I’ve seen him before, but it would have been nice to catch up on old times. We did see all of his replicas in various places so that is almost as good. The Uffizi is a great museum filled with works even a uneducated schmuck like me can recognize, but is was crowded. July is a busy tourists season in Europe.
Naturally we went in the Duomo with it’s beautiful pink and green marble facade. This was the first domed ceiling, if you don’t count the Pantheon, which no one ever does. It was built in the Renaissance and the technology of how the Romans built domed ceilings had been lost in the dark ages. The Florentines were so confident someone would figure it out that they build their church without a roof and waited for the technology to be invented. It took many years, but eventually Filippo Brunelleschi was visiting Rome and saw the dome of the Pantheon and immediately knew how to complete the Florence Cathedral. It took several more years for him to convince the city to give him the contract, but eventually Florence got their Duomo.
(Inside Florence’s Duomo)
We visited Opera di Santa Croce, the church where there are the tombs of Michelangelo and Galleleo. There are also some important fresco and the cowl and girdle worn by St Francis of Assisi. There is also a leather school attached to the back. We got to walk around old men hand making leather goods as well as a very expensive store.
(The tomb of Galleleo)
(The cowl and girdle of St. Frances of Assisi)
In between we saw some other important sights. We saw Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, Palazzo Pitti, Palazzo Vecchio in Piazza della Signoria, the Baptistry of the Duomo, and a few others.
Ponte Vecchio is the covered bridge that goes over the Arno. There are stores here, especially goldsmiths, and people hang out at night. There was a band performing on the bridge when we were there.
(Ponte Vecchio)
For a while now I have had the benefit of having Daniele tell me all the best restaurants, but he doesn’t know Florence. So I followed all the general rules: away from the main tourist hub, not right on a square or anything touristy, better if the menu is not in six languages. So as it got closer to dinner time we wondered away from the Duomo and on the other side of the river. There were still some churches near the Ponte Vecchio, so we walked some more. Just as Fabienne was saying maybe we should start working our way back, a presumably drugged out man did what I call the “zombi walk” out of a side street. That’s when I knew we were close! That street had a restaurant. A very drunk British woman who had just walked out saw us looking at the menu and gave it a recommendation. So we went for it. We split a bottle of their house white wine and a cheese platter. I got a zucchini crotchet thing, and Fabs got ravioli– best meal I have had in a long time! They had both Italians and foreigners eating there. It was called Trattoria I’ Raddi. Next time I’m in Florence I’m definitely going back… so good!
All the pictures from this day are in my “Fabienne Visit’s -Firenze ” album:
https://picasaweb.google.com/111221349198606775660/20110709FabienneVisitSFirenze
I just want to say I am newbie to weblog and honestly liked you’re web blog. Almost certainly I’m going to bookmark your website . You absolutely come with incredible articles. Thank you for revealing your web site.
Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out much. I hope to give something back and aid others like you helped me.
I enjoy reading through a post that can make people think. Also, many thanks for permitting me to comment!
It’s mostly impossible to encounter well-advised visitors on this theme, however you come across as like you know whatever you’re posting on! Thank You
There is noticeably a bundle to know about this. I assume you made certain nice points in features also.
We really have to inform you you the fact that I’m really raw to having a blog and extremely loved your post. Very likely I am going to store your site post . You definitely have excellent article topic. Acknowledge it for giving out with us your internet site article.
hey there and thank you for your info – I have definitely picked up something new from right here. I did however expertise a few technical issues using this web site, since I experienced to reload the website many times previous to I could get it to load correctly. I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will often affect your placement in google and can damage your high-quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords. Well I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for much more of your respective fascinating content. Make sure you update this again soon..
It truly is almost extremely difficult to encounter well-advised users on this issue, still you look like you fully understand exactly what you’re posting on! Gratitude
We merely wish to tell you in which I’m just raw to having a blog and completely adored your post. Probably I am likely to bookmark your site post . You undoubtedly have fantastic article reports. Get Pleasure From it for share-out with us your blog write-up.
Tremendously enjoyable resources you’ll have stated, thanks for adding.
I’m not sure where you’re getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for wonderful information I was looking for this information for my mission.
It’s perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I want to suggest you some interesting things or advice. Maybe you can write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read more things about it!
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You obviously know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos to your weblog when you could be giving us something informative to read?|
Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and aid others like you helped me.
Seriously informative points you’ll have said, say thanks a lot for submitting.
Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out much. I hope to give something back and help others like you aided me.
It truly is practically close to impossible to find well-advised men or women on this matter, nonetheless you appear like you fully grasp the things you’re raving about! With Thanks
At sisterwives we offer Polygamy Dating Services and Personal Matchmaking.
Might be nearly close to impossible to encounter well-aware individuals on this area, yet somehow you look like you fully understand the things you’re posting on! Gratitude
Hi, i think that i saw you visited my blog so i came to “return the favor”.I’m attempting to find things to enhance my web site!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!
It certainly is mostly impossible to find well-updated individual on this issue, however you look like you understand which you’re preaching about! Cheers
I simply need to inform you you in which I am certain inexperienced to writing a blog and undeniably admired your page. Quite possibly I am most likely to bookmark your site post . You definitely have fantastic article subject. Admire it for share-out with us your website post.
My brother suggested I might like this web site. He was entirely right. This post truly made my day. You cann’t imagine just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
Might be almost impossible to see well-advised men and women on this matter, although you appear like you comprehend the things you’re preaching about! Thanks A Lot
Great goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you are just extremely excellent. I really like what you’ve acquired here, certainly like what you’re saying and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it wise. I can’t wait to read far more from you. This is really a wonderful web site.
Hi there, just wanted to say, I enjoyed this article. It was inspiring. Keep on posting!|
We merely need to show you the fact that I’m really new to putting up a blog and certainly valued your article. Quite possibly I am likely to store your post post . You undoubtedly have excellent article text. Appreciate it for swapping with us your web webpage.
It certainly is mostly extremely difficult to see well-qualified individuals on this area, however you appear like you are familiar with whatever you’re writing about! Appreciate It